Gospel music smashed into the mainstream the day Faith Child, Guvna B and Victizzle graced the stage of the Indigo 02. A few weeks previous, they had enthusiastically told Pride about their monumental venture to perform as T3M – the three musketeers – on the 13thof August. This was it. This was the chance to widely showcase their gospel hits and inject doses of inspiring melodies with impacting lyrics into an unsuspecting secular arena. Well, they did it and Pride was there to witness all the on-stage and backstage action.
One would have been forgiven for assuming that a gospel group would not be much of a crowd-puller but the heaving masses that streamed into the venue drastically proved all preconceptions shamefully wrong. As young people flooded the room, it was clear that gospel music had drawn the crowd not only because of the positive message the music carried but the excellence to which T3M work at.
With hilarious Eddie Kadi hosting the show and a brilliant live band accompanying it, it was clear from the start we would be in for a wonderful display of the finest talent in the UK. There was an array of musical highlights on the night. Faith Child was the first of the three to set the pace with his dynamic and animated performances of tracks from his album ‘Illumination’. We were definitely more than head bopping to the catchy tune ‘Holla at me’ which also introduced on the stage Miss Tai and Utter Once from G-FORCE. Not only did this get your feet moving but the song displayed with spirited vibrancy the message that one can draw close to God when you call on him and rely on him completely in all situations.
The inspirational messages continued, as Victizzle bounced on the stage with the next set that was packed full with thought provoking lyrical content. This was seen most strong in the mid tempo song ‘I pray’. But it was not all slow jams, as statement tracks like ‘Not reaching’ and ‘Jam yourself’ had full crowd participation and brought lively energy into the room.
The last of the three – Guvna B. He strolled on the stage with a cool aura starting with the track, ‘Standard ‘and the crowd imploded. He did a series of songs from his album, ‘The Narrow Road’. But it was the moment that Cynthia Erivo joined Guvna B on stage, letting out the heart stirring vocal of the track title, ‘I need you,’ that the atmosphere peaked. In this beautiful moment we all understood that this was not just a concert in the Indigo O2. This was all about God. The melodic outcry was a clear reminder that this was driven by a higher purpose to affect hearts, minds and lives.
The show attracted well known faces from both the mainstream and gospel music industry so during the night we were able to catch up with some of the UK’s finest talent and get their views on the epic event:
Kele Le Roc (left)
R&B songstress Kele le Roc was glad to hear young people portraying positive messages. “ I love that” she told us with a beaming smile, “because a lot of young people saw gospel music as mature and felt out of touch but these guys are making it relevant.” Summing up T3M she said, ‘They’re gritty they’re grimy and they’re talking about God. I just love it.”
Grime group Marvell dropped by from working on their latest studio album. They were delighted to see how far gospel music had come. They confessed to us, “ We weren’t really interested in Gospel music but because of people like Guvna B they’re drawing our attention to it now.”
Beverly Trotman (right)
Beverly Trotman, the former X factor contestant, was so proud of the guys, exclaimed, ‘They are three young wonderful men of God that are proud to stand there and be men of God in this kind of place and to be here at the O2 is just astounding.”
Animated spoken word talent, Michaela ‘Birth of a poet’, let us into a little secret, “I don’t want to be biased but I’m mostly looking forward to Guvna B, she emphasised with a giggle “he’s my cousin.” Telling us of how she was intrigued to witness “the coming together of the three top MCs in the gospel industry”, she was happy to see that the gospel music scene was being put on the map and reaching people beyond confines of the church building.
Sensational rising star, Rachel Kerr, who joined Guvna B on stage that night, enthusiastically praised the T3M event. the soulful gospel talent expressed, “Today is showing that we are worthy of a mainstream stage.”
Victizzle (left)
Just before he was to appear on the stage we grabbed a quick word with one of the three musketeers, Victizzle. “ It still feels unreal” he said slightly mystified by all that was going on. “ To be honest I didn’t think it would be this big but I am honoured and humbled about how today has turned out.”.
One of the most influential names in the UK gospel music scene, Noel Robinson, came to talk to us and shared his deep insight on the night. In regards to the effect of gospel music in the O2 he said, ‘ often times we can be insular but I think God has raised T3M up for a time like this. He praised T3M, “They are effecting the people around them and as Christians we should be effecting people with positive vibes and the heart of God.”
The fabulous Lola Godheld was another up and coming gospel singer that graced the stage that night. Having worked on a single that Victizzle produced, she could see big things in the future for T3M, ‘This is the first stop but we could take this tour worldwide’ she told Pride.
Jahaziel (right)
“The whole night was great” commended award winning rapper Jahaziel. “It is evident that these guys are making excellent music that will put them on platforms where excellent music goes.”
Red hot singer of ‘School Daze’, Cherri V celebrated the success of the night. “It’s amazing to see young people come together and for me this is making history.”
The amazing saxophonist, Yolanda Brown was in attendance. She loved the “great energy” and was proud to come to a show that was “just phenomenal.” She had nothing but praise for T3M. “Once the word spreads round about how good it was tonight the rest of the gospel industry will come forward and do even more.”
Eddie Kadi
Fresh off the stage Eddie was keen to relay his thoughts of the night to Pride, “today history was made” he said emphatically still buzzing from all the excitement.
Words by Tosin Omilaju
